Moulid of Abu al-Haggag

This event has ended. Dates for the next edition will be added here once they are announced.

Luxor’s biggest folk festival honours Sheikh Yusuf Abu al-Haggag, a 12th-century Sufi saint whose mosque sits on top of the ruins of Luxor Temple. The moulid takes place in the middle of the Islamic month of Sha’ban, so its Gregorian date moves about 11 days earlier each year; in 2026 the main nights fell around the start of February. The highlight is a colourful procession through the streets around the temple, with a decorated boat carried in parade, horse-dancing, stick-fighting (tahtib), Sufi chanting and fairground stalls. It is a local community event, and visitors who dress modestly and keep a respectful distance are welcome. Exact dates follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed locally only shortly beforehand.

Dates: expected (based on previous years; confirm nearer the time).

What to expect

The moulid builds over several days, with the final night as the high point. Families from Luxor and nearby villages gather around the mosque and the temple, and the streets fill with music, food stalls, swings and sweet sellers. Sufi groups hold chanting circles known as zikr, and the procession winds through the streets with decorated carts and floats as well as the boat.

The boat procession is often compared with the ancient Opet festival, when statues of the gods of Karnak were carried in sacred boats to Luxor Temple, which makes the moulid a fascinating link between past and present.

Getting there

The Abu al-Haggag Mosque stands within the Luxor Temple complex in the centre of the East Bank, an easy walk from hotels along the Corniche. Taxis and horse-drawn carriages are widely available, but streets near the temple become very crowded.

Planning tips

• Winter evenings in Luxor can be cool, so bring a jacket.
• Ask before photographing people, especially women and families.
• Ask your hotel or local guides about the expected dates.